Health and Medical Preparatory Programs
Average yearly income: $40,000
If a college has commercials on TV, you can bet it offers programs in these fields. These programs are often found at community colleges or vocational schools and help those interested in medicine dip their toes in the water without committing to medical school. But less schooling comes at a price – less pay.
Visual and Performing Arts
Average yearly income: $40,000
This figure does nothing to combat the image of the starving artist. It’s no wonder they say in order to make it in this field, you have to really want it. But many who pursue a career in performing arts after college have to take supplemental jobs for years before they can completely sustain themselves on money earned in their desired field.
Communication-Disorders Science and Services
Average yearly income: $40,000
Students who graduate from this field tend to get jobs working with people with speech impairments, cognitive and physical disorders and other conditions that affect one’s ability to speak. And though the need for them is high, the pay is low.
Studio Arts
Average yearly income: $40,000
In contrast to performing arts — which happen on a stage — studio arts entail painting, sculpting, drawing and other forms of art that result in a physical product. But unless an artist gains fame, those who graduate in this field rarely reach a high earning bracket.
Drama and Theater Arts
Average yearly income: $40,000
This is another field in which professionals struggle unless they “make it big.” With well-paying acting jobs few-and-far between, many who graduate with this major also have to have supplemental jobs outside of their industry.
Social Work
Average yearly income: $39,000
Those who graduate from social work programs can go into an array of positions such as working at clinics for substance abuse, handling child custody battles and working with programs for the homeless. Still, this noble job doesn’t really pay off without a graduate degree, which can increase earnings by 134 percent.
Human services and community organizations
Average yearly income: $38,000
With a U.S. president who was himself once a community organizer, many students are turning to this field despite the low pay. For many, the mission of giving back is gratifying enough. Major foundations and companies that fall under this category include the Child Welfare League of America, the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities and the National Organization of Human Services Education.
Theology and Religious Vocations
Average yearly income: $38,000
Students with this major study pastoral counseling, sacred music and the nature of God, among others. But those who pursue this major are often looking for something other than monetary gain.
Early Childhood Education
Average yearly income: $36,000
Our nation’s educators have always faced low salaries, and those who help shape our children’s earliest years are no different. This is also one of the fields with the largest gender pay gaps.
Counseling and Psychology
Average yearly income: $29,000
Psychology majors earn, on average, the least out of the 170 mainstream documented majors. But there is hope for those interested in student counseling. This line of work suffers almost 0 percent unemployment.
